Battle of Pharsalus

The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War fought on 9 August 48 BC near Pharsalus in Central Greece. Julius Caesar and his allies formed up opposite the army of the Roman Republic under the command of Pompey. Pompey had the backing of a majority of Roman senators and his army significantly outnumbered the veteran Caesarian legions.

Battle of Pharsalus
Part of Caesar's invasion of Macedonia during Caesar's Civil War
Date9 August 48 BC
Location
Palaepharsalus, Greece
39.3707°N 22.3335°E / 39.3707; 22.3335
Result Caesarian victory
Territorial
changes
Most of the Eastern Roman provinces defect to Caesar
Belligerents
Caesarians Pompeians
Commanders and leaders
Julius Caesar
Mark Antony
Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus
Publius Cornelius Sulla
Pompey
Titus Labienus
Metellus Scipio
Lucius Domitius 
Lucius Cornelius Lentulus
Units involved
  • Legio VI
  • Legio VII
  • Legio VIII
  • Legio IX
  • Legio X
  • Legio XI
  • Legio XII
  • Legio XIII
  • Syrian legions
  • Cilician legions
  • Legio I
  • Legio III
Strength
23,000+
  • 22,000 legionaries
  • 1,000 cavalry
  • A few light infantry
41,000–52,000+
  • c.36,000–45,000 legionaries
  • 5,000–7,000 cavalry
  • Thousands of light infantry
Casualties and losses
200–1,200 killed 30,000–39,000
  • 6,000–15,000 killed
  • 24,000 captured
Location within Greece

Pressured by his officers, Pompey reluctantly engaged in battle and suffered an overwhelming defeat, ultimately fleeing the camp and his men, disguised as an ordinary citizen. Eventually making his way to Egypt, he was assassinated upon his arrival at the order of Ptolemy XIII.

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